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Councillor Iain Dobie (LD, Leckhampton and Warden Hill), said he had no preference at this stage where the school should be, but he has concerns about the possible use of the Leckhampton Fields as there's not enough space or adequate roads.

He said: "What I want is for this new school to be located within easy reach of the community it will be serving.

"I welcome the proposal for a new school to serve the community. I want it to be in this area but the decision on where it's going to be located is going to be made by public authorities - the Department for Education and Gloucestershire County Council."

The Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust, which manages Marling School, has confirmed its interest in bidding for the new school.

Dr Stuart Wilson, chief executive of the trust, said: "Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust has been taking a keen interest in developments in Cheltenham since the Local Authority announced the need for a new secondary and primary school.

"There is some uncertainty at the moment about the exact criteria and process for free school applications in Wave 13 but we hope that clear information will be available from the DfE shortly.

"In the meantime we have been discussing a potential bid for the primary and secondary schools; subject to trustees approval we would look to start formal consultation in the autumn."

Councillor Richard Boyles, Gloucestershire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people (C, Blakeney and Bream), said: “The council has a good track record for planning school places and we know we need more places in Cheltenham, ideally by 2020.

"Our preferred route is a government funded free school and the first step on this path would be for potential sponsors to develop bids for the school.

“No site has been selected and we’re asking for landowners to get in touch if they have any sites for consideration.”